Above Ground Pool Care In One Hour A Week

     Taking care of your above ground pool can be simple and easy. Fifteen minutes four times a week is all it takes. Here is how I take care of my pool in less then one hour a week. But first a few things to keep in mind. 

      I will cover cartridge and sand filters as they represent the vast majority of the filters in use. For the same reason I use only test strips and chlorine rather then the more exotic sanitation and testing methodologies. 

     Two things will save you money. A good pool cleaner that you actually use, and a on-off timer for the pump. A clean pool costs less to maintain, because you save money on chemicals. A timer allows the pool pump to run less hours and still do the job thus costing less for electricity. Follow the Monday, Wednesday, Friday plan laid out here and pool care is a one hour a week job (well most weeks anyway).

Vinyl Pool Liners, Warranties and Care:

     Your vinyl pool liner has a nice long warranty from the manufacturer. That warranty covers defective materials and workmanship. What that means is the liner won't and does not have holes in it and that the materials used to make the liner are of good quality, and that the liner will not separate at the seams. If it does not leak right away after installing the liner is not defective. The only thing still covered under the warranty is if the liner separates at a seam.

NOTE: Never leave the liner exposed to the sun without water in it.

 Water Wants to Maintain a Neutral Ph of 7:

     Water will try to naturally balance to that Ph by taking what ever chemicals it needs out of the whatever is in contact with the water. That means it will extract chemicals from the pool's liner, the bathers, the bathers swim suits and whatever else lands in the pool.

 When the Kids Come in Complaining of Burning Eyes:

     It is caused by the Ph not the chlorine (unless you just super chlorinated your pool ). Untreated water that has an out of balance Ph will ruin your pool's liner in about two years. The liner will turn to a thick paper like consistency and loose it's elasticity, the bad news is, it is not a warranty issue. The good news is if you keep the Ph balanced the liner can last up to twenty years. Check the Ph of your pool's water twice a week. You will need Ph up, or Ph down. Don't buy any water treatment chemicals until you test the pool, because you won't need both.

 Mom! The Pool Smells Like Chlorine, There is Too Much Chlorine in the Pool:

      Like you are really going to take it out. Actually the pool smells of chlorine because the pool needs chlorine. Go test the water and add some chlorine, or if the kids are in the pool add non-chlorine shock (they can use the pool in 15 minutes if you use a non-chlorine shock, also know as Potassium Monopersulfate). The chlorine is trying to do the sanitizing job and is loosing the battle, what the kids are smelling is the raging chloramines crying out for help.

How To Do My Above Ground Pool Care In One Hour A Week

Supplies Needed:                          

1. 3” Chlorine tablets                               
   

2. Pool test strips                                                         

3. Floating chlorine dispenser

4. Ph up or Ph down

5. Polaris 65 pool cleaner

6. 1 lb bags of Non-chlorine shock

7. 1 lb bags of Chlorine shock

8. 16' telescoping pole and bag type net

9. Timer for the pump motor

10. A spare cartridge if you have that type of filter

Floating Chlorine Dispenser: A floating chlorine dispenser costs very little, buy a new one every year as chlorine ruins them. Put one 3” tab in the dispenser and put it in the pool and note how low it sinks in the water, take a permanent marker and mark the water line on the dispenser. Put another 3” tablet in the dispenser and mark the water line on the dispenser, then again with three tabs in it. From now one you can just glance at the floating dispenser in the pool and know how full it is by how many lines are out of the water.

Timer: Your pool water should all go through your filter in 8 hours (see pool pump size chart). Set the timer to run your pool a minimum of eight hours a day. Using a timer to turn the pump on and off will save you time and assures that the pool gets enough circulation without you having to remember to manually take care of it.

Polaris 65 Pool Cleaner: I recommend this cleaner because it works on the out flow side rather then the suction side of your filter system. This cleaner keeps the water stirred up so that the filter can filter the water. You put the Polaris in the pool on your way to work (takes less then five minutes), then you take the cleaner out when you get home, you back flush the sand filter or clean the cartridge and you are done.

No standing at the pool vacuuming or constantly monitoring a suction type pool cleaner. Put the Polaris in three days a week and your pool will be ready for use when you are ready to use it.

Mondays and Wednesdays: Test the water with water test strips, balance the Ph if needed, refill the chlorine dispenser if needed. If you do not get a chlorine reading, shock the pool with one bag (1lb.) chlorine shock (time: 5 to 10 min.). Put the Polaris in the pool and go to work. When you get home take out the Polaris 65 and clean the filter.

Friday or Saturday: Test the water with water test strips, balance the Ph if needed, refill the chlorine dispenser if needed. If you do not get a chlorine reading, shock the pool with one bag (1lb.) chlorine shock (time: 5 to 10 min.). Put the Polaris in the pool and go to work. When you get home take out the Polaris 65 and clean the filter.

Pool Chemicals: Follow the manufacturers recommendations. Read the labels, it really does help. Think in parts per million, and remember that more is not always good, use small doses and retest. Do not buy any chemicals until you need them, old chemicals do not work well and can give you false readings.

White Water: Water turns a milky white when the solids in suspension come out of suspension. This usually occurs because of a build up of the solids floating in the water and the water heats up from the sun. Hot water holds less solid in suspension. Remember when you boil water and the calcium coats the pots wall, same thing happens in the pool, just a lot slower. Should your pool turn white, drain the pool one half and refill. Go buy a quart bottle of sequestration agent from the pool supply store and pour the full quart in the pool, all long the pools edge. Turn the filter on and run it for twenty four hours, you should have a clear pool the next day. You might have to vacuum the bottom of the pool.

Pool Party: After heavy use of your pool, a bag of shock will kill any over abundance of creepy crawlies hiding in the water. Mix the shock in a bucket of water and pour it around the pool. Read the instructions.

Sand Filters: A sand filter is the least expensive way of caring for your pool. To clean a sand filter, turn the pump off, check the lint basket and clean out if need be. Put the valve on back flush, and turn the pump on, the water will come out of the discharge port clear, then turn gray or cloudy, then turn clear again. Turn the pump off, set the valve to rinse, and turn the pump on, the water will come out of the discharge port clear, then turn gray or cloudy, then clear again, turn the pump off and set it to filter and turn the pump on.

Cartridge Filters: To clean, turn the pump off, clean the leaf basket as needed, remove the cartridge and replace with the clean spare cartridge. Turn the pump on, release any trapped air, follow the pumps manufacturers instructions. Clean the cartridge, you can use a little liquid soap in water if need be, rinse thoroughly. If the filter is sandy (calcium build up) soak the filter in vinegar and water over night. Set the cleaned filter cartridge aside to dry until needed.

Water Is Cheap: In my town filling a 24' round 52” wall pool cost $24.00 If you get chemical soup and you can't figure out what to do, drain the pool and start over. It's cheaper then buying chemicals.

About the author: Mr. Glasgow has been a merchant for forty five years. Having managed and or owned discount stores and specialty retail stores. Mr. Glasgow currently owns and operates Patiostore.com a specialty retailer of patio furniture and other related back yard products.